PinkMafia has teamed up with one of Toronto’s premier underground hip hop events, Droppin’ Knowledge, to do a make-you-want-it giveaway.

We’ll be giving away 2 FREE TICKETS to J. Cole‘s performance at the the Sound Academy on September 3rd.

Come to Droppin’ Knowledge at the Rivoli on September 2nd for your chance to win!!

Hosted by recent Remix Projekt grad Double X, and industry staple DJ James Redi it’s sure to packed with rad musicians both on stage and in the audience.

This installment of Droppin’ Knowledge is being headlined by internationally acclaimed artist Rittz, Spin magazine’s “Artist of the Month” and Yelawolf‘s second hand man.

Think good beats, good people and cheap(ish) drinks. Not an event to be missed.

CLICK HERE for more information about the September edition of Droppin’ Knowledge, who’s performing and the like.

The New Cities – Casting for Newest Video!

Want to have a chance to be forever immortalized on TV and the internet via a music video? Always wanted to be on the set and see how all the magic is made?

These handsome men are looking for a lot of people to come take part in their next video shoot. They need a big audience, as well as a few ladies who know their way around a fashion runway.

They`re shooting the newest video next Monday the 22nd of August and are looking for:

1. Fashion Show audience – you could be a TNC uber-fan, an aspiring actor/actress, or a bartender with a day off… we just want you to dress like you could be in the audience at a super obnoxious, super hot fashion show. Easy right? All ages, all ethnicities welcome!

2. Model types – Here’s your chance to channel your inner Kate Moss. Or Tyra. Or Giselle. Think you can walk the walk? Now’s your chance to prove it! Females only for this category please. All ethnicities, 18-25 preferred.

We need lots of fans, a full fashionista audience and models to be in the vid for their next single. Must be avail in Toronto Aug. 22 – send your name, pic, age and contact info to thenewcitiesvideoshoot@sonymusic.ca .

Oh, and if you are selected, you’ll need to bring with you some signed legal mumbo so the band can legally use your awesome performance in the video. And if you’re under 18, your parents will need to sign it on your behalf. It’ll all get explained once you send in your info to the above!

making web videos for fun = an awesome hobby. making web videos for fun, prizes*, and glory? = an awesome hobby — only better.

you may have noticed by now that vitaminwater kind of loves film.

we adore hosting parties, taking photos and interviewing celebrities at festivals like cannes and tiff, but we’ve always thought it would be kind of cool to host a film festival of our own.

we don’t have the capacity to produce a world class film festival like the ones mentioned above since the bulk of our energy goes into, ya know, vitaminwater.

that said, we have a pretty bumping online community, and we know for a fact that a lot of you love film too. we’ve also noticed that some of you create your own films from time to time (that’s right, we’ve seen your youtube channels!)

hence, we decided to create the vitaminwater mini film challenge.

think creating a fun short that rewards you to the tune of $750 (plus bragging rights for days!) would make your summer “only better”?

here’s how to enter:

1. create a 1-2 minute long web-based mini film to creatively show us how you enjoy vitaminwater.
2. include within the video at least one image of a vitaminwater bottle (hand drawn is fine, if you’ve got the skills!)
3. post your video to youtube, vimeo, your own blog or any other video hosting service you like to use.
4. drop the link to your masterpiece in our comments section below. (full submission guidelines can be viewed here)

you have until august the 26th to enter. at that point, our panel of judges will select one winner and two semi-finalists, who will each receive a prize of $100.

to help inspire you, we’ll be posting a series of (hi-fi versions of) the type of video we’re looking for on our facebook page. you can see all 8 of them on our youtube channel now!

this 60 second spot by josh soskin, “treasure” is one of our favourites (and with good reason! who doesn’t love mermaids?).

feel free to get at us in the comment section with any questions, comments, or requests for steven speilberg’s phone number. we don’t have it (and wouldn’t be allowed to give it out even if we did), but appreciate that kind of moxie.

good luck!

* rules and regulations: no purchase necessary. open to legal residents of canada, excluding quebec, who are of the age of majoirty at the time of entry. prizes: one (1) grand prize of $750 cad and two (2) secondary prizes each consisting of $100.00 cdn. contest opens on 08/02/11 at 12:00:01 a.m. et and ends on 08/26/11 at 11:59:59 p.m. et. see full rules for all details. limit one (1) entry per person. for full official contest rules, judging criteria and prize description, visit http://www.vitaminwatercanada.ca/blog/video-only-better-contest-official-rules

Meet Bree Williamson.

Born and raised in Toronto, she planned to pursue a career in business, psychology or women’s studies (She has a B Sc. from U of T). Devotng her time to community service played a key role in her life, and among other causes, she acted as a Planned Parenthood advocate at a Toronto organization for teens in need of sexual-health counseling. While her philanthropic career became a major part of her life, the decision to pursue a (possibly) stale career was not. Thus, she pursued her acting career and it began to flourish; among her roles she can count Mutant X and Nikita as 2 shows she had as a jump off point.

She now plays Jessica Bouchanan on One Life to Live and is our hero – she’ll be one of the local celebs to participate in September’s AIDS Walk for Life.

1. What is your dream of happiness?

A fridge with a pinkberry dispenser.  I mean world peace.

2. Blonde or Brunette?

How much does it pay?

3. What is the quality you like most in a person?

Loyalty, kindness and a nice pair of breasts

4. What do you fear most?

A Michael Bay type Armageddon with brain eating zombies breaking down my door … And spiders

5. 808s or 909s?

I failed hipster in high school

6. What’s your biggest regret?

Eating laffy taffy last night for dinner

7. What’s your fav bar or club in the world?

My apartment.  I even set up a velvet rope.

8. What’s the one thing you can’t live without?

Gummy bears

9. What are the 3 musicians dead or alive you’d like to see perform?

Raffi, Stevie Nicks and Kelly Clarkson.  All in the same show.

10. What is your favorite decade in music?

the 2030s are going to be awesome

11. If you had to choose, would you rather go blind or deaf and why?

I already have selective hearing.

12. How old is too old?

Anything over 6000 years.  It’s against God’s law.

13. Where do you see yourself in 15 years?

I’ll be patently waiting for lollapalooza 2031.

14. Who’s your hero?

I have batman on a retainer, but I wouldn’t say he was “mine.”

15. What’s your favourite color?

What color is that pattern on the gucci bags?  I like that color.  And beige.

16. What song could you live without ever hearing again?

That Kelly Clarkson song featuring Raffi and Stevie Nicks. I mean what were they thinking?

17. Metallica or Madonna?

Cindy Lauper.

18. What’s your most hated vice?

I pretty much just skim over it.  The Do’s and don’ts are fun.

19. Who is the most tragic figure in history?

Kevin James.

20. What are the top three live shows you’ve seen in your life?

NKOTB.  Do i have to say that three times?

When I think of the Hamptons images of wealthy, beautiful New Yorkers sipping champagne at clam bakes breezes through my mind. Crisp whites, seersucker and Top-Siders should be donned for cocktails after tennis matches and strolls along the beach. What do you pack though when a music festival is thrown in the mix?

In prepping for the upcoming MTK Music Festival Aug 13th & 14th in East Hampton, NY, I found myself stressing over the daunting task of packing, wanting my wardrobe to be a little more inspired then just taking cues from Blair Waldorf (even though I would gladly re-watch those Hamptons episodes of Gossip Girl). Since this music festival boast the latest and greatest in music and fashion, I thought I would take inspiration from the bands themselves.

Here are five looks inspired by some of the bands performing at the MTK Music Festival that can be worn through late summer anywhere from a weekend festival to your favourite watering hole.

Tribal/Safari style inspired by the music of Vampire Weekend:
While Vampire Weekend’s personal style may put Ralph Lauren’s American Prep to shame, their music is filled with African inspired beats and riddled with the marimba so why not have fun with two trends that go hand in hand and mix some safari with tribal prints and add some warm accents and leopard prints.

Haute Americana style inspired by the music of Dawes:
The 70s Americana look has become so popular because along with looking fantastic its so simple to assemble. Rather than just tossing on a cowboy hat to go along with Dawes‘ Americana music and calling it a day, try a pair of bell bottoms, a crochet or macramé top or the ever so popular denim shirt.

Punk style inspired by the music of Nicos Gun:
Nicos Gun themselves have said they strive to be a punk-rock Michael Jackson, but most of the fashion from the 80s should be left in that decade. Punk isn’t too hard, just don’t come out looking like a Sex Pistol. Try mixing edgier pieces like a studded vest or cropped shirt with embellished detail with a pair of combat boots and jean cutoffs.

Nouveau Navajo style inspired by the music of Tame Impala:
Tame Impala are a psychedelic rock band reminiscent of the Beatles circa 1965. While flower power and peace signs are definitely dated, the bulk of the look is dead-on trend. Keep the fringe and mix it in with lots of bright colours, bold Navajo prints and feather accented jewelry.

New Romantic style inspired by the music of Ellie Goulding:
Ellie Goulding is young and gorgeous and her pop music is sugary sweet so why not borrow from the new romantic trend, one the artist tends to follow herself. Soft pastels, sweet florals mixed with lace and sheer fabrics will give you a look that is delicate and feminine.

Words by Kate Masewich

The summer is the time for many things: music festivals, food festivals, parades – but one thing people in this fine city of ours love most is Beer.  The 17th Annual Toronto’s Festival of Beer is proudly announcing its newest event, the Queer Beer Festival happening on Thursday August 4th. The first of its kind in North America, it celebrates all things beer and queer.

Much like the Annual Beer Festival, it will feature all the great beers companies we’ve come to know & love and smaller craft brew (there will be over 200 brands featured at the festival) – however the biggest draw for the festival, besides the beer is Swedish band Ace of Base playing Bandshell Park on the grounds of the Exhibition Place. The day’s events will also be hosted by comedian Maggie Cassella, plus there will be additional performances by Hunter Valentine as well as Lucas (The Cliks).

The Queer Beer Festival is proud to have The 519 Community Centre as its official charity and will donate $5.19 from every advance ticket sold before Pride weekend toThe 519.

Tickets on sale now at queerbeerfestival.ca, Priape and The 519:

Regular Tickets are $38.50, plus applicable taxes/service fees
(includes sample cup / 5 sample tokens)

Hoptimized Tickets are $48.50, plus applicable taxes/service fees
(available online only, includes early entry / sample cup / 10 tokens)

Girl Guided Beer Tour Tickets are $48.50, plus applicable taxes/service fees
(available online only, includes guided tour, sample cups, 10 tokens)

On one of the hottest day in the summer, what perfect way to cool down than with a glass of wine.  Luckily, we here at the Pink Mafia team were invited to Bordeaux After Work Parties at Marben Restaurant on Tuesday July 19, 2011.  This party was the second of four in a series and seemed to have quite the crowd, as I arrived.

I don’t claim to be a wine expert, however I do try to pretend.  Thankfully upon entry, I was handed a handy pocket-sized guide to the Bordeaux collections of reds, whites and roses.  It walked me through my experience of tasting the Bordeaux collection and getting to experience it with the excellent Oysters that the Marben staff were providing.  Perfect pairing, if I do say so myself.

With the music in the restaurant pumping, the crowd intermingling and everyone chatting about the excellent food and wine, who wouldn’t want to spend their off the clock hours like this?  What helped out was Bordeaux had a Sommelier walking around to answer any questions one might have regarding the wines, for example: taste, region, development and pairing.

I definitely cannot wait to attend the next Bordeaux After Work Parties – which take place at different restaurants throughout the city.  Stay tuned to their Twitter and website for more details for the next event.

Photos by Lori Steeves

If you’re a fan of music chances are you’ve been to a big North American summer music festival, or at the very least have those festivals on your radar. I’ve been to my fair share and while the Coachellas, Bonnaroos and Lollas have their draws (big names, big crowds etc…) they seem to be getting a little bit stale.

If you’ve hung around me long enough this summer you’ve probably heard me gush ad-nausea about my new favourite music festival: Music To Know Music Festival, or simply MTK. The thing that makes this particular festival stand out over its predecessors is the promise of more than just music merchandize and/or street food vendors. In its inaugural year, the East Hampton, NY festival not only boasts a hefty dose of ‘music to know’ but also dozens of leading trends to know in fashion, lifestyle, food and beverages, all offered throughout the festival grounds via pop-up boutiques.

The festival will be held August 13-14th so there is still time to grab your weekend passes and head to the Hamptons for a weekend getaway. The beauty of this festival is that you can customize your experience and find affordable accommodations at any price point. You could rent a swanky beach home, camp on the beach or hoof it back to NYC via a late-night train specifically for festival goers.

Still not sold? Over the course of the weekend while rubbing elbows with elite tastemakers and trendsetters, you’ll hear music from festival headliners Vampire Weekend and Bright Eyes along with Cold War Kids, Ellie Goulding, Tame Impala, Chromeo and Dawes AND I haven’t even gone through the whole line up.

Have look at the festival map while you mull it over and keep your eyes peeled for our Style Survival Guide and a very special Tour Diary by one of the festival bands.

Words by Kate Masewich

Just recently, Courvoisier announced an exciting new project aimed at helping those in the arts community.  This unique project entitled The Courvoisier Collective (#CVCollective), is helping to provide artists a space to display their works while also helping them to gain exposure for themselves and their work.

The project which began on June 6 with art submissions being accepted through the website CourvoisierCollective.com.  These submissions were put under two different categories:

(1) Billboard Showcase
(2) Gallery Award

Artists were asked to explore the theme of ‘Renewal’ in relation to the revolutionary role of art.  The theme can be addressed in two contexts:

(1) with respect to art’s capacity to revolutionize its own content and form
(2) art’s potential to challenge the status quo

Courvoisier has received several submissions from inspired artists intrigued by the unique opportunity to showcase their work around the city of Toronto. Three winning entries will be determined by a jury from the arts community and will appear on high-traffic urban billboards and PATH posters.  Below are the key dates to remember for the upcoming Courvoisier Collection, which can also be discussed via Twitter (#CVCollective).  Remember to go online and vote for your favorite pieces.

Key Dates:

July 15 – Deadline for ‘Gallery Award’ submission showcase at Gallery 1313. Selection is based on public and curator judging committee votes. The three ‘Billboard showcase’ winners will automatically be included in the gallery showcase.
July 15 – Online public voting opens up for ‘Gallery Award’ submissions.
August 1-28 – ‘Billboard showcase’ timeframe, with top three winning selections displayed on high-traffic urban Toronto billboards and PATH posters.
August 5 – Final day for public to cast votes on ‘Gallery Award’ submissions by visiting CourvoisierCollective.com.
August 5-8 – ‘Gallery Award’ winners selected for display at Gallery 1313
August 10 – Gallery Opening Event at Gallery 1313.
August 11 – September 4 – ‘Gallery Award’ Exhibition at Gallery 1313, located at 1313 Queen Street West.

The weather is hot and clothes are coming off. This is the season to spend the rest of our savings so we can buckle down come wintertime and work (to save enough for next summer).

This season offers to many possibilities for trips and fun nights out – and The Gladstone is giving us a massive amount of fun stuff to do the coming weeks. Below are our top 10 picks for July. For more July events check out their site for event listings, and also keep up with the Gladstone Hotel facebook for updates and additions.

This Weekend

Friday

Cross-Eyed Cat Blues Band 8-10pm (Melody Bar): This show is FREE. Yes, good music for free. Think a little bit of country and a little funk and you’ve just touched upon this group. Based out of Toronto, this blues band is some home grown talent that shouldn’t be missed.

Uma Nota 10 Year Anniversary 10-2:30am (Ballroom): This party’s 4th year has rolled around (time flies!), so get yourself out for some Afro-Brazillian beats, mad awesome DJs and an overall groovy experience.

Every Friday and Saturday

Karaoke with Peter Styles 10pm on (Melody Bar): Every weekend this musical man hosts a rad karaoke night for you and your friends to walk into, drink while rocking the crowd and running out the door when the lights turn on. Voted #1 karaoke bar in the city by NOW Mag for 8 years running, if you haven’t gone, this is the place to be.

The Coming Weeks

Wednesday July 20

Gannycowboyboots 7:30pm (Melody Bar): This fundraiser for ‘Daughter of the Dust’,has a country fair theme – there will be “gay cowboys gone wild” and a shotgun wedding photobooth. There is no way any human being on the south side of College can miss this. Grab your boots and plaid and head on down!

Monday July 25

Tweetgasm 1st Anniversary 7-11pm (Melody Bar): Toronto’s Twitter community is heading out for the Gladstone‘s 1 year Twitter party anniversary. Mixing and mingling for the internerd folks. (You should probably come, as I’m sure you’re updating your facebook while you’re reading this blog and tweeting about these events!)  Likely conversation topics: hashtagging, retweeting and trending.

Wednesday July 27

Carribbean Diaspora Live 7-10pm (Melody Bar): Can’t hate on good reggae music. If you like sweet jams and sexy beats, this is the place to be. Bob Marley covers and other classics will be in the mix.

Over the years, I’ve watched The Toronto Jazz Festival grow and morph from the City Hall to its new home in Metro Hall. This year’s festival included some spectacular acts that had people young and old buzzing. Most notably was the opener for the Jazz Fest, Aretha Franklin. I had never really caught the Jazz Festival, as it had always fallen on the weekend of Pride but this year two acts stood out to me that I could not miss:

JULY 1, 2011 – THE ROOTS

I had talked to some people who said the Roots come through Toronto all the time and weren’t crazy about the $50 ticket price. But regardless, one thing is for certain: the Roots put on a crazy wicked show. The energy from the crowd as soon as The Roots hit the stage was tremendous. Lead man Black Thought wasted no time in using the crowd’s enthusiasm to his advantage, getting the audience to cheer, chant, and clap out rhythms for the group to incorporate into their songs. They ran through classics like You Know That You Got Me (see video) and did some covers like Led Zeppelin. Having the Roots as a part of the jazz festival is a serious no brainer. They are able to combine hip hop, funk, soul and rock into a solid hour and a half long set. They just have an ebb and flow that make them easily one of the best live bands. No wonder Questlove is part of Jimmy Fallon’s houseband.

Photos taken by Stacey Nolan

JULY 2, 2011 – BOOTSY COLLINS

From the bottom of his platform boots to the top of his glittery hat, Bootsy Collins is one larger-than-life character. For his age, Bootsy Collins looks so young and you would never be able to tell that he has been funking since the 1970s. The beat was impossible to resist and Bootsy acted as our high priestess of funk that night. The band was also dressed to thrill, all dressed like a acid flashback. With slapping basslines and funky grooves, Bootsy’s show was lots of fun and fabulous music from the hardest working band in funkdom.

Photos taken by Lori Steeves

John Dadzie aka 12th Planet isn’t your typical dubstep DJ. At first glance, he has the fashion sense of a hipster & skater combined.  If your parents met him, they would think he’s quite the charmer. But once the sun goes down this tall, skinny, soft-spoken musician puts his pearly whites to bed and let’s the bass take over.  This veteran DJ (5+ years) transforms into a  presences on stage that captivates every ounce of your attention.

For John, it’s been a long road.  He grew up in Los Angeles and was first introduced to the electronic music scene in high school when he regularly attended raves and jungle parties. For John, the LA music scene and LA in general had a huge impact on his musical upbringing, “LA is awesome.  Its got great Mexican food, and huge bass.  We got a 100 square mile radius to promote to, with over 2 million people in the greater LA area, so you can imagine the attendance is very high at the big shows.”

Originally, John started out as a drum and bass naming himself Inflitrata. He formed a record company (Imperial Recordings) with DJ Lith and began producing his own tracks.  John tells me, “Imperial was a DnB record label that me and my buddy Lith started when we were 18 years old, back in the days before Serato.  It was my first record label attempt, and an awesome learning experience.  But the change from Inflitrata to 12th Planet, I think I just needed change,  no pun intended.”

Well, change he did. Change genres. More importantly, change names. The name “12th Planet” is from the book Zecharia Sitchin wrote of the same name. Figuring it had a little bit of science fiction flavor behind it, I ask John to which he tells me, “Actually, I am more of a mythology nut, but I love science fiction just the same.  I chose the name 12th Planet, because of the way it was described in the mesopotamian creation story the “enuma elis”  This planet comes around once every 3600 years or so, and sets the earth off axis when it passes through our solar system.  Now if that’s not swag, I don’t know what else is.

Since the DJ metamorphosis has happened, people have not stopped talking or dancing or loving 12th Planet.  Hell, some have even taken to calling 12th Planet, the Prince of Dubstep to which he tells me, “You can call me king, prince, burger, whatever, just dont call me a trashcan!” I like that attitude.  Someone who is serious about their craft but not so serious about the titles thrown around.  I’ve decided in this article to bestow 12th Planet the Burger King of Dubstep. You can quote me.

We discuss about how we’ll both we attending Camp Bisco (happening in Mariaville, NYC on July 7-9) and what he’s looking forward to most, “I have never been to Camp Bisco, so im totally ready to experience the Bisco thing.  I’m excited to see all the comerades, and make some good memories.” For those who have seen a 12th Planet show (which I got to see 12th Planet, Zed’s Dead with a special live appearance by Skrillex at a Movement Afterparty in Detroit, trust me – the man puts on a great show. Camp Bisco, makes sure you come correct and come ready because 12th Planet is going to lay it down.

Chicago is known for producing a lot of good things: Chicago deep dish pizza, architecture, wind (aka. The Windy City) but it’s also known for producing a lot of good bands. One of those bands would be A Lull, an indie rock / experimental band that I had the chance of interviewing at NXNE during the Slapback Media BBQ at the Analogue Gallery on Thursday June 16, 2011.

Thankfully, I tried to take it pretty easy on Nigel Dennis, Todd Miller, Mike Brown, Aaron Vincel and Ashwin Deepankar who had just driven in from Cornwall, Ontario (where they had stayed over night via their trip from the States) to play NXNE.

So here is the straight goods from A Lull:

File alongside: Yeasayer, Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear?

The skinny: A Lull have been on tour for awhile both on and off festivals. They’ve been through the good, the bad and the ugly. For example, while in Pittsburgh – one of the band members got struck by lighting and lived to play the show. Now that is rock & roll. But in all reality, A Lull tells me the greatest thing about getting to play festivals (such as NXNE) is the general atmosphere and acceptance of different genres. Oh, plus – when they travel to Canada, they get to have Sesame Seed Pizza, which is pretty rad.

Must hear track: Weapons for War

What to expect from their shows: The band tells me that not only do they put on an energetic live show but they have a very unique sound. They try to make each and every single show different from the others.

Favourite band they’ve seen live while touring: Group of the Altos – apparently this is a group of 11 people and they put on a hell of a show. A Lull said, “It’s an experience not to be missed”. Group of the Altos is from Millwaukee and the AV Club has described them as, “a surly high-school orchestra”.

Photos by Lucia Gracia